Americans' household debt hits new record high

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Americans’ household debt levels – including mortgages, car loans, credit cards and student loans – are now at a new record high, according to data released Wednesday by the Federal Reserve Bank of New York.

Total household debt reached $18.59 trillion from July through September of this year, up by $197 billion from the previous quarter. Overall debt levels are up by $4.4 trillion since the end of 2019, just before the pandemic recession.

In a call with reporters Wednesday, researchers at the New York Fed said overall household balance sheets do remain “pretty strong,” though there are some signs of weakness among younger borrowers.

The report also shows Americans’ student loan debt hit a new record, at $1.65 trillion. A lot more borrowers are missing their payments, as well; nearly 10% of all student debt was reported as 90 days delinquent, or more.

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The report also shows Americans’ outstanding credit card balances increased by $24 billion to $1.23 trillion in the third quarter of this year – an all-time high. Credit card debt is up nearly 6% compared to one year ago.

Auto loan balances held steady at $1.66 trillion, according to the report.

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